Write a minimum of 500 words (about two pages) for each part of this assignment.

Part A
Social promotion is the promoting of a student from one grade to the next even if he or she is failing courses. The rationale for social promotion is that moving students to the next grade prevents them from being stigmatized because they are older and bigger than other children in their classes. A number of cities have recently passed legislation banning the practice. In these cities, all students would be required to pass proficiency tests before they would be passed on to the next grade. In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of this change? Do you agree with it? Why?

Part B
As our textbook discusses in several places, technology has altered many spheres of social life, including our economy, culture, and social interactions. Focusing specifically upon the technology of social media, how has such technology altered the way that we interact with and understand each other? For example, are our social relationships fundamentally different today because of social media? How has social media impacted the way that we present ourselves to each other? Please cite relevant concepts from our reading in your response.